Episode 200: Calm Your Mind, Nourish Your Soul: The Role of Nutrition in Anxiety Management with Dr. Uma Naidoo
Drama-Free Healthy Living With Jess Cording
Release Date: 12/26/2023
Episode 249: Hitting Pause
Drama-Free Healthy Living With Jess Cording
Episode Description: If you’ve been feeling a little… maxed out lately—and you can tell you’re still doing things out of momentum, not meaning—this episode is for you. In this solo episode, I’m sharing why I’m hitting pause on the podcast for now. Not because I don’t love it, and not because it didn’t matter. But because my life has changed so much since I started this show in 2019, and I’m realizing I need space. The kind of space where you can actually hear yourself again—without forcing the next step just to keep things moving. I talk about the fear of being seen as a...
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Episode 248: What to Let Go of in 2026
Drama-Free Healthy Living With Jess Cording
Episode Description: If you’re heading into 2026 feeling a little stretched thin—like you’re carrying too much, trying too hard, or overthinking every next step—this episode is for you. Today’s conversation is all about release, not in a dramatic “new year, new you” way, but in a practical, gentle, real-life way. Because sometimes the most supportive thing you can do for your health, your energy, and your goals… is let go of the habits, beliefs, and pressures that quietly drain you. We’re talking about perfectionism, comparison, guilt around rest, the all-or-nothing mindset,...
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Episode 247: Harnessing the Power of the Unfocused Mind w/ Dr. Srini Pillay
Drama-Free Healthy Living With Jess Cording
📌Try the ReuLay app for mindset shifts (); email for a free 3-month subscription 👉In this episode of the Drama Free Healthy Living Podcast, host Jess Cording interviews Dr. Srini Pillay, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and executive coach, about harnessing brain science for better focus, overcoming fear, managing stress, and integrating creativity into daily life. They explore strategies like strategic unfocus (napping, doodling, daydreaming) to boost productivity, the CIRCA method (Chunking, Ignore mental chatter, Reality check, Control check, Attention shift) for...
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Episode 246: Empowering Women’s Sleep w/ Jackie Hutson from Piper & Mint PJS
Drama-Free Healthy Living With Jess Cording
📌Make sure to check out Piper & Mint PJs on 👉 Jackie Hutson is a wife, mom to two energetic, sports-loving boys, and a founder who seems to live life in motion—in all the best ways. She plays in a competitive tennis league, loves diving into business and entrepreneurship, and brings an easy, grounded optimism into everything she does. Her entrepreneurial spark lit up early: at age 11, she made $5,000 selling Beanie Babies. Since then, she’s launched several product-based businesses, including an accessory line created while studying abroad in Italy. After college, Jackie built...
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Episode 245: Holiday Metabolism
Drama-Free Healthy Living With Jess Cording
Episode Description In this solo episode, we’re unpacking what really happens to your metabolism during the holidays and why it’s not as dramatic or disastrous as the internet makes it seem. Instead of stressing over travel, late nights, celebrations, and all the festive food, we’ll look at how small, doable habits can help you feel steady, nourished, and grounded through the season. You’ll get a clearer understanding of how sleep, stress, movement, and nutrition influence your energy, along with realistic ways to support yourself without giving up the joy of the holidays. No...
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Episode 244: Transform Your Health with Functional Fitness | Jess Cording x Dr. Jessica Shepherd & Rachel Katzman
Drama-Free Healthy Living With Jess Cording
📌Make sure to check out Pvolve at 👉 In this episode of Drama Free Healthy Living, host Jess Cording interviews Dr. Jessica Shepherd and Rachel Katzman about the innovative approaches in women's fitness today. They explore the benefits of functional fitness for improving posture, reducing back pain, and boosting energy. Dr. Shepherd shares her personal journey with functional fitness and how it transformed her physical health and mindset. The conversation highlights the importance of finding balanced fitness routines that not only change appearances but also enhance overall well-being...
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Episode 243: Solo Episode Easy Breakfasts to Support Healthy Metabolism
Drama-Free Healthy Living With Jess Cording
Episode Description In this solo episode, I dive into why a nourishing breakfast does so much more than just “start your day.” It helps stabilize blood sugar, support hormone balance, and fuel your metabolism—especially for women over 35. If you’ve ever skipped breakfast or relied on a granola bar and coffee to get by, this episode will help you rethink what your mornings can look like. You’ll learn what to eat (and why) to keep your energy steady, your mood balanced, and your body supported. From easy make-ahead ideas like overnight oats and smoothies to savory options like veggie...
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Episode 242: Unmasking High-Functioning Depression w/ Dr. Judith Joseph, MD, MBA
Drama-Free Healthy Living With Jess Cording
📌Make sure to check out the book 👉 Judith Joseph, MD, MBA, is a Columbia-trained psychiatrist and the founder of and chief investigator at Manhattan Behavioral Medicine, New York City’s premier clinical research site, a clinical assistant professor in child and adolescent psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical Center in Manhattan, and chairwoman of the Women in Medicine Board at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Judith Joseph was awarded by the US House of Representatives with a 2023 Congress Proclamation Award for her social media advocacy and...
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Episode 241: My Life Lately: Fall 2025 Update
Drama-Free Healthy Living With Jess Cording
Episode Description: It’s been a while since I’ve done a solo episode, and this felt like the right moment to sit down and share a little life update. A lot has changed for me this year — some of it amazing, some of it challenging, and plenty of it somewhere in between. In this episode, I’m talking about what day-to-day life looks like right now, how I’m finding my footing in a new season, and the little shifts that are making a big difference. Think of this as us catching up over coffee — honest, a little messy at times, and hopefully a reminder that none of us have it all figured...
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Re-Release Episode 206: What To Eat When You’re Exhausted
Drama-Free Healthy Living With Jess Cording
Episode Description: You know those days when you wake up tired, and before you know it, you’re reaching for coffee, donuts, chips, anything to keep going? You’re not imagining it—and you’re definitely not lacking willpower. When you’re running on empty, there are real changes happening in your body that make cravings stronger and energy harder to manage. In this episode, we’ll unpack what’s really going on when exhaustion hits, why your body asks for quick fixes, and how to work with those signals instead of feeling like you’re fighting against them. I’ll share practical...
info_outlineDr. Uma Naidoo, a leading expert in nutritional psychiatry, joins me for this episode of Drama-Free Healthy Living. With her warm and approachable style, Dr. Naidoo dives into the fascinating topic of nutrition and its impact on anxiety management. As the author of the highly acclaimed book, "This Is Your Brain on Food," and her latest release, "Calm Your Mind with Food: A Revolutionary Guide to Controlling Your Anxiety," Dr. Naidoo brings a unique blend of scientific knowledge and practical advice to the table.
In this conversation, she delves into the connection between inflammation, gut health, and anxiety. She also shares insights on balancing leptin through diet for improved mental well-being. If you're looking for natural ways to manage anxiety and promote overall mental wellness, this episode is a must-listen. Get ready to learn from Dr. Naidoo's expertise and discover the power of mindful nutrition choices.
Michelin-starred chef David Bouley described Dr. Uma Naidoo as the world’s first “triple threat” in the food and medicine space: a Harvard trained psychiatrist, professional chef graduating with her culinary schools’ most coveted award, and a trained Nutrition Specialist. Her nexus of interests have found their niche in Nutritional Psychiatry.
Dr. Naidoo founded and directs the first hospital-based Nutritional Psychiatry Service in the United States. She is the Director of Nutritional and Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) & Director of Nutritional Psychiatry at MGH Academy while serving on the faculty at Harvard Medical School.
She was considered Harvard’s Mood Food expert and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal.
In this episode:
👉Discover the powerful connection between nutrition and anxiety management for improved mental well-being
👉Unlock the secrets of the gut-brain connection and how nurturing your gut health can positively impact your mental well-being.
👉Prioritise healthy fats to promote better mental health and overall well-being.
👉Explore how micronutrients play a crucial role in regulating neurotransmitters for effective anxiety management.
👉Embrace mindful eating and the Mediterranean principles to cultivate better mental health and overall well-being.
🌎 Connect with Dr. Uma Naidoo
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIN
TikTok
🖋️ Some key points
(00:37) - Dr.Naidoo’s new book,
(03:18) - relationship between nutrition and psychiatry,
(06:12) - the impact of inflammation on the brain,
(09:06) - gut health and anxiety management,
(15:32) - eating whole foods for better mental health,
(16:55) - magnifying micronutrients for anxiety relief,
(17:26) - the importance of healthy fats,
(20:57) - the mediterranean diet for mental health,
(31:11) - the power of testing recipes,
(32:05) - the joy of helping others,
(33:25) - powerful testimonials,
(34:17) - importance of self-care,
📑 The resources mentioned in this episode are
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Check out Dr. Uma Naidoo's new book, Calm Your Mind with Food: A Revolutionary Guide to Controlling Your Anxiety for expert insight and strategies on managing anxiety through nutrition.
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Explore the gut-brain connection and learn how gut health can impact anxiety management by reading Dr. Uma Naidoo's books and following her work.
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Consider incorporating more leafy greens and colorful foods into your diet to support the production of neurotransmitters and promote a healthy gut microbiome.
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Look for food sources of tryptophan beyond just turkey, such as chickpeas, to support the production of serotonin and other neurotransmitters.
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Dive deeper into the role of leptin in mental health and metabolic health by reading Dr. Uma Naidoo's books and staying updated on the latest research.
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Explore the connection between metabolic health and mental health and consider how lifestyle factors, including nutrition, can impact both.
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If you're looking for guidance on medication management and mental health, consult with a healthcare professional who specializes in nutritional psychiatry, like Dr. Uma Naidoo.
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Dr. Uma’s previous appearances on the podcast:
2020: https://drama-free-healthy-living-jess-cording.libsyn.com/dr-uma-naidoo
May 2023: https://drama-free-healthy-living-jess-cording.libsyn.com/dr-uma-naidoo-may-2023
🎤 Podcast post-production EZPZ Podcasting.